nxengine-evo VS doukutsu-rs

nXEngine-evo - Cave Story clone. C++, SDL2

Or this improved version: https://github.com/nxengine/nxengine-evo

Dwarf Fortress N Cave Story Powder Toy Knytt Stories

NXEngine, later NXEngine-evo: While these engines are notable for historical reasons (and being ported to a bazillion different platforms over the years), they're very inaccurate to the original game so it's hard to recommend these anymore.

Build Cave Story (nxengine-evo)

Seriously? https://github.com/nxengine/nxengine-evo/releases

NXengine (or nxengine-evo), an open source engine that can be used to play cave story. Apart from some minor bugs a really good way to experience the game. https://nxengine.sourceforge.io/ https://github.com/nxengine/nxengine-evo

All of these are games I've put countless of hours into. There's a bunch of other good games, SuperTux, Pingus, Tux Racer, Neverball/neverputt, Minetest, 0ad, some of the KDE games, and more that I've played and liked but haven't lost nearly as much time with.

There also a direct port of cave story for the vita and it's excellent. https://github.com/nxengine/nxengine-evo/releases. It was updated a few months ago and worth checking out.

Play Cave Story. It's free and one of the greatest indie games ever made. :) Also check out Super Tux Kart.

The original 2004 freeware release is still conveniently available on the Tribute site. But if you want something more modern with more quality of life features, you can try doukutsu-rs.

however, i believe doukutsu-rs (a fan-made engine recreation) has cutscene skip, and can be used with the game files from CS+ steam... if you're playing hardmode for the steam achievement you'll miss out on it and any others, though

i wouldn’t recommend NX - doukutsu-rs is a lot better, more accurate and actively supported, plus it supports data files from nicalis ports (ie. allowing you to play with CS+ sprites and challenges)

iOS, no afaik, mac, yes - doukutsu-rs has a native mac port and the original freeware version can be run through wine

doukutsu-rs, which can also be used with CS+ data files (not included, for obvious reasons) and implements a number of features from CS+ (like cutscene skip, support for CS+ soundtracks, graphics, and challenges if you're using those data files, and local 2-player co-op). The mechanics are pretty accurate to the original game, with only a handful of minor inconsistencies which I'm sure will be fixed eventually™ as the engine is still actively in development.

If you want to play the freeware on PC, I highly recommend https://github.com/doukutsu-rs/doukutsu-rs

NXEngine is quite inaccurate compared to the original freeware version. These days you should be using doukutsu-rs if you need an alternate engine to play the game.

You can play freeware and remastered (Steam and Switch) versions natively on Mac using doukutsu-rs: https://github.com/doukutsu-rs/doukutsu-rs